Oberon Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Welcome to Oberon

by P. G. Forte

  “Does it bother you?” he asked, his voice so low, she could barely understand the words.

  “What? You smoking when you know good and well that I can’t? Damn right it does.” Leaning against the doorframe, she folded her arms under her breasts and gazed at him speculatively. “I suppose I could let you make it up to me, though. There are possibilities there.”

  Nick braced his hand on the door jam and leaned over her. His eyes intense and unhappy. “Seriously. I want to know. Does it?”

  She reached out a hand and laid it against his cheek. “No, Nick, of course it doesn’t. I mean, I suppose it should—because it really isn’t good for either of us. And I admit, I am just a little bit jealous. I think I could kill for one, sometimes, and I—” She stopped again, confused by the strange look on his face, part pain, part laughter. “What’d I say?”

  “Nothing,” he chuckled sadly. “Don’t worry about it.” Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he drew her inside the room, pressing a kiss against the side of her head as he did. “How’re you doing, anyway?”

  She leaned her head against his shoulder, relaxing into the comfortable feeling of just being with him. “Oh, I’m fine. Maybe a little tired. I’m about ready to go home now, but I’m guessing you’re not?”

  “No.” He said it quietly, but she was startled by the emotion vibrating in his voice as he continued. “Look, it’s not always gonna be like this, Scout. I swear. But I can’t just drop everything and go home right now.”

  “I know that.” She pulled away so that she could look up at him. Where was this leading? “I wasn’t asking you to.”

  He looked as if he wanted to argue the point, but instead he sighed again and squeezed her hand. “Okay, fine. Look, I already called Lucy, and I explained the situation, so everything is under control, okay? You’re all set. She and Dan will take care of everything. All you have to do is show up.”

  “You called... ?” Her eyes went involuntarily to the phone on Siobhan’s desk. It hadn’t rung once, not all afternoon. He could have called her if he needed something, but instead he’d called his cousin. That hurt. She didn’t know what he thought needed setting up, but— “Oh! Oh, my God, Nick. The barbecue. Your mother. I totally forgot about it!”

  “Yeah, well.” His hand clenched tightly, almost painfully, on hers. “Don’t worry, okay? It’s all taken care of. Lucy’ll deal with getting everybody over there and making sure they’ve got everything they need. And Dan’s gonna handle the cooking. It’ll work out fine. I know you’re probably thinking that he doesn’t do a whole lot of cooking in general, but trust me, the man lives to grill meat.”

  Scout laughed at that. “Oh, do you think so? ‘Cause, that’s not what I heard.”

  He smiled back at her, his gaze drifting down to her mouth, and for a moment everything was just the way it always was between them. The way it was supposed to be. “Yeah, well... that and a few other things, I suppose.”

  “Uh-huh. And I hope whenever you do get home tonight, you’ll still have some energy left for some of those other things yourself,” she murmured, moving a little closer.

  “Always,” he answered, his voice a whisper, his lips mere inches away from hers. Her breath caught as his lips brushed hers, and then, the soft sound of someone’s throat being cleared grated in her ears, and Nick was gone.

  For a moment Scout seriously regretted that she hadn’t let Camille have her way with Ryan Henderson, because, man, his timing sucked.

  “Sorry, Nick,” Ryan said. And he did sound vaguely apologetic. Like that counted for something? Like this couldn’t have waited? “But we’re just about done with everyone here. You want I should take the cards back with me now?”

  “Fine,” Nick answered tersely. “Tell everyone they can leave now, too. I’ll catch up with you back at the station, after I’m finished here.”

  He turned back to her then, stroking his fingers down her face. His smile looked to be about equal parts love and longing. “Last time we got interrupted like this, I didn’t even kiss you good-bye. I spent years regretting that. I’m not making the same mistake again.”

  She wound her arms around his neck and smiled. “Well, if I recall, last time I was already naked. So I guess that’s two improvements.”

  “That’ll definitely make it easier on me,” he agreed, just before his lips finally came down on hers, “But I don’t know that I’d call it an improvement.”

  * * *

  Sam squeezed by the lip-locked couple who’d pretty well blocked the doorway, He ignored the small pang of envy the sight elicited. Some people had all the luck.

  But at least he was free to go now.

  The shades were drawn, and all the lights were off, but even so, he had no trouble seeing that Marsha still hadn’t moved from where she’d been sitting earlier. Even better, from his perspective, her eyes were closed. Maybe she was asleep? He had to pass by her to get to his bags, and he really didn’t want another confrontation. He made his way across the room as quickly and quietly as possible.

  He’d just get his things, and get out. Now. Right now. Quick. Before anything else had the chance to go wrong. He really thought he was going to get away with it, too, until a soft voice came out of the gloom.

  “Wait a minute,” Marsha said, speaking with quiet urgency, “Don’t go yet, Sam. Please.” And he knew he was sunk.

  “Yes?” He turned toward her making no effort to keep the impatience he felt out of his voice. “What is it?”

  She sat up, looking weary and wizened, he was shocked by the pained expression in her eyes. But there was no way he was going to get suckered into feeling sorry for her. “I owe you an apology.”

  Damn right you do, he thought. “Not necessary,” he told her as he quickly turned back toward his bags. Just a few more steps and—

  “Well, yes, I think it is.” She sounded suddenly much more sure of herself. “Camille should never have rented that cabin to you. I’ll make sure you get your complete refund by Monday.”

  That stopped him. “Say what?”

  She sighed. “It’s not her fault. It’s mine. I was supposed to have it cleared out weeks ago. I just haven’t been able to bring myself to go out there. I’m sorry.”

  She smiled wanly. “I would have said something to you sooner, if I’d realized who you were. But Camille only told me last night that she’d rented it, and if she mentioned your name, I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention.”

  He dropped into the chair opposite her, as reality sank in. “You own the cabin?” He supposed he should have figured that was a possibility given all the other weird stuff that had gone on today, but it was still one hell of a coincidence.

  “Only since July. But I—”

  “And you’re telling me you don’t want to rent it now?” He couldn’t believe this! The cops were sure to find it suspicious if he suddenly up and left town. Plus, where would he go? He could waste days trying to find another set up this perfect!

  “No, I want to rent it. I think,” she said. “It’s just— Well, you’ve seen it, right? Didn’t you think it was a little odd, all the personal stuff lying around, and…everything?”

  “Yeah. Sure.” He couldn’t keep from grinning as he added, “But to tell you the truth, I kinda like it that way.”

  “You do?” she asked incredulously.

  “Yeah. It’s... I don’t know. Nice. Interesting. In a slightly off-beat but not exactly unattractive sort of way.” Not unlike the way he felt about her, in fact. And, suddenly, he found himself imagining how she would look in that bed – all russet and peach against the pale sheets.

  She blushed, and looked away. “So, let me get this straight.” She asked after a moment. “You’re saying you want to stay there?”

  He shrugged. “If you’ll let me.”

  “Well, sure. I guess.” She frowned uncertainly. “But I think you should at least get a... a discount, or something.”

  Sam couldn’t help smiling at her concern. �
��Maybe not. I ought to tell you that, so far, I’ve already ripped you off for a bottle of wine, some rice, and a package of frozen peas.”

  “Oh.” She appeared to think about that for a minute. “So, you’re saying we’re even?”

  “No. Hell no. Not even close, doll. But on the other hand, I have only just gotten started.” He felt absurdly pleased with himself when she burst into relieved laughter.

  “Okay, well. I’m sure you’ll let me know if the balance tips too far the other way, right?”

  “Don’t go counting on it,” he told her as he got to his feet. “I’ve been told I’m something of an opportunist.” Impatience was beginning to bubble up inside him again, making his head throb. He wanted to get away. And he wanted to do it now, although he couldn’t say for certain what was fueling the urgency. “Anyway, I gotta go.”

  “Right.” She frowned again, her hand straying up to her head, as if it pained her. Not his problem. “But um... anyway, hang on a minute and let me give you my phone number, in case you change your mind... or well, you know.”

  He really didn’t know – nor did he want to. The impatience was growing stronger by the minute, as if there were a train bearing down on him, its horn blaring a warning to get the hell off the tracks while there was still time.

  “Sure, fine. Whatever,” he said, going for his bags, while she went to get paper and a pen from the desk near the door.

  So close. Damn. He was just reaching for his stuff when he was bowled over by the dogs who, along with the girls, had just burst into the room.

  “Dad, we’re hungry. And bored. Can’t we leave already?” he heard Kate ask as he worked to extricate himself and his belongings from beneath the two dogs, as well as the pile of posters and empty cardboard cartons they had knocked down on top of everything.

  “Yeah, honey. Sure you can,” Nick was answering. “I still have some work I have to do, but Scout’ll take you home right now. You can introduce her to your grandmother for me, okay?”

  “Sure Dad, but—”

  “But Nick, what about the barbecue?” Mandy interrupted.

  “I already talked to your mother and everything’s under control. Your parents will probably have everything set up before you even get there.”

  “Huh, not if they’re bringing Seth with them, they won’t,” Mandy grumped. “He and Dad’ll just get into another argument, like they always do. And then we’ll never eat.”

  “Don’t worry, Mandy,” Nick answered dryly. “Seth can only delay things for so long. Which reminds me. Here, Marsha, your sister gave me your car keys to give to you. It looks like it’s gonna be awhile before you’re going to be able to get your van, though. It’s still blocked in behind the barricades. And I don’t think they’ve finished loading or unloading or whatever it is they’re doing to it.”

  “Oh, thanks, Nick,” Sam heard Marsha say, as he re-stacked the last of the cartons. “That’s no problem. It won’t be dark for hours, yet. I can just hang here for a while. But listen, I was meaning to ask you about the waivers. Would it help you to have an idea about what time people had signed in? I mean, right now all you’ve got is names and addresses.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Nick sounded interested. “Could you do that?”

  Marsha laughed. “I’m afraid so. I’ve gotten pretty anal about those waivers in the last few years. I have a whole system for keeping track of them. You know, the order in which they were signed and at least approximate times for everything. All that kind of stuff.”

  “Can you come down to the station tomorrow and show someone?”

  “Sure. I’d be glad to.” She paused, and then continued more hesitantly “How’s everything else going? You seem... tense.”

  “It’s going as well as expected, I guess,” Nick replied, his voice tight. “Could be worse.”

  “Well, yeah. Sure,” Marsha answered. “For one thing, you could have had Paige hanging around pestering you for – oh, wow. That is so weird.”

  “Marsha,” Nick said warningly, “That’s enough.”

  “I mean, something like this, you’d think she’d be all over it like white on rice, wouldn’t you? But you know, now that I think about it, I don’t even remember seeing her around this morning, and – oh.” Her voice sank to a horrified whisper. “Omigod. Ohh, Nick. I am so, so sorry.”

  Sam looked around quickly. Marsha’s back was to him, but he could see that her hand had covered her mouth.

  Nick’s eyes blazed with anger. “Jesus Christ, Marsha. I swear. You have got to stop doing things like that.”

  And Sam suddenly realized why he’d been so anxious to get away. It was one thing to suspect that something had gone terribly wrong in your life, it was much worse to have those suspicions justified.

  * * *

  Marsha’s hands were shaking as she finished writing down her phone number. She was so upset, she could barely remember what the number was. She had to get away from here. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done. Poor Nick. And, poor Paige! She turned to find Sam watching her.

  “So, what was that all about?” His voice was cool and casual, and distinctly at odds with the hard, speculative gleam in his eyes.

  “Oh, uh, nothing, really.” She felt uncharacteristically flustered. How much should she say, she wondered? Why did he care so much, anyway? And why was he pretending it didn’t matter to him, when she could tell it did?

  “Oh, give us a break, Marsha,” Scout snapped, walking over to join them. “You know something. What was that all about with you and Nick, just now? And who is this Paige person you were talking about?”

  Marsha looked at her doubtfully. “Do you remember that reporter that was following us around last summer? Trying to bug us all about what had happened with Glenn? Paige Delaney? I think she’s maybe the woman who was killed today.”

  Scout’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Wow. You think?” She thought about it for a moment, and then a wicked light shone in her eyes. “Jesus, Marsha. No wonder Nick’s so pissed at you. That’s probably one of those deep, dark cop secrets nobody’s supposed to know about yet.”

  “I know,” Marsha admitted. That was part of it, anyway. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It just came out. I should—”

  “Oh, never mind that,” Scout interrupted. “Just do me a favor and come back to the house with me.”

  “Scout, I—”

  “Please,” Scout insisted. “I’m meeting Nick’s mother for the very first time. And as far as I can tell, she already hates me. Now, Nick’s gotta work… I really need some moral support.”

  It was the last thing Marsha wanted to do. “You don’t need me for that, Scout. Lucy’ll be there.”

  “Oh, yeah. Great. And she’s the one who wants me to call the whole thing off, remember? Please, Marsha. Do this for me and I... I promise I’ll square everything away with you and Nick. How does that sound?”

  It sounded like payback, and she didn’t suppose she had much choice. Marsha felt her head begin to pound again. This time she didn’t even have the energy to figure out where it was coming from. She tried once more. “C’mon Scout, you can handle this. It’s just a party, after all.”

  “All the more reason for you to come then,” Scout urged again, “It’ll be fun. At least... well, it probably won’t be for me, but you always got along with Lucy’s parents, right?”

  Scout’s face turned suddenly thoughtful. “Have you met her, by the way? Lucy’s aunt, I mean? Is she really as scary as Lucy makes her out to be?”

  “You should know better than to listen to everything Lucy says by now,” Marsha answered with a shrug. “I mean, her aunt’s not exactly a bundle of laughs But hell Scout, she’s not like the Antichrist, either.”

  “More like the aunt-ti-Lucy,” Sam remarked suddenly. Both women turned to regard him with doubtful surprise. “Sorry,” he murmured, looking, Marsha thought, rather surprised himself.

  “That was just awful,” Scout announced scathingly, but Marsha could se
e a tiny spark of amusement in Scout’s eyes, and the corner of her own mouth would keep quirking upward, no matter how much she tried to resist.

  “You really do have the strangest sense of humor,” she told him.

  “I know. Sorry,” he muttered again. “Early childhood conditioning, I’m afraid. My sister, Pricilla, always had a predilection for truly execrable puns.”

  “Wait. You have a sister named Pricilla?” Scout sounded as if she were about to choke, but Sam was apparently completely serious.

  “Yes, I do,” he answered levelly, shooting her a puzzled look.

  “So, you’re saying your sister is Pricilla Presley?” Marsha elaborated, spelling it out for him, although, surely he’d had it pointed out to him before? But his face remained completely blank for several moments. “You have to be kidding, right?”

  “Oh,” he said at last, unsuccessfully suppressing a smile. “Uh, no. I mean... well, half-sister. Older. Much older, and married. Different last name. And so, no. Not ... I mean, she was never – Anyway, we’ve always called her Seal.”

  “Of course you do.” Marsha could almost sympathize with his confusion. She was feeling considerably confused herself.

  “You don’t believe me?” His voice was suddenly cold, and the incipient smile had disappeared again. She hadn’t said that, exactly... had she?

  Scout chuckled. “I’m not sure I believe any of it. But it makes a good story.” Marsha winced at the cheerful calculation that she saw flickering in her friend’s eyes, just before she turned toward the girls, who had been examining the fish in the aquarium.

  “Hey, Kate, Mandy,” Scout called. “What do you say? Shouldn’t Marsha and Sam come back to the party with us?”

  The girls beamed at them excitedly. “Yeah. Yeah, that’d be great!”

  “Oh, yeah. Could you? Please?”

  Marsha groaned. The very last thing she needed right now was a matchmaking friend. Especially one who was trying to match her up with a man who, she was pretty sure, couldn’t wait to get as far away from her as humanly possible.